Did you know that there's a <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2007/09/21/china-builds-its-own-eiffel-tower-179932//">faux Eiffel Tower</a> in China, as well as an entire copy of the city of Venice, complete with gondola-lined canals? In the past few years, builders in China have replicated world-famous buildings and landmarks at a remarkable pace - from the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-cloned-village-in-china-is-now-open-to-visitors/">world's first cloned Austrian mountain village</a> to a reproductions of the White House, entire English villages, and even new starchitect designs that haven't been built yet, like <a href="http://inhabitat.com/developer-pirates-zaha-hadids-latest-design-in-china-and-copycat-may-open-before-the-original/">Zaha Hadid's Wangjing Soho complex</a>. Bianca Bosker’s exciting new book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Original-Copies-Architectural-Mimicry-Contemporary/dp/0824836065" target="_blank"><em>Original Copies: Architectural Mimicry in Contemporary China</em></a> addresses this emerging Chinese 'duplitecture' trend and explores the ways that these replicated landmarks are shaping China's culture. It's a fascinating account that draws upon Chinese philosophical perspectives, builders, city planners, and even the residents who now live in these duplicated landmarks.

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White House Capital Building China

The resulting People's Court may be a mishmosh of stolen architecture, but the elements are still very recognizable.

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Shanghai Minhang Peoples Court

The Shanghai Minhang People's Court courthouse takes its architectural cues from BOTH the White House and the United States Capital building.

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Original Copies Venice Duplitecture

The Chinese didn't change much in their duplication of Venice's canals. Their version just looks a bit newer and cleaner.

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Original Copies Eiffel Tower

Perhaps the most recognizable of all of China's duplitecture is this brazen copy of the Eiffel Tower. But perhaps we might be able to say the same about the mini Eiffel in Vegas?

This "Hilltop Castle" offers stately European living arrangements at "Oriental Paris" in Hangzhou, China.

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Bristol Christ Church - Original Copies Bianca Bosker

A replica of Bristol's Christ Church is a popular place for wedding portraits.

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Venice - Original Copies Bianca Bosker

This replicated Venetian neighborhood comes complete with a canal!

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Thames Town - Original Copies Bianca Bosker

Thames Town replicated the historic streets of London in China.

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Eiffel Tower - Original Copies Bianca Bosker

Original Copies is in stores now. You'd better make sure yours is an original copy!!

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Original Copies Duplitecture in China

Did you know that there's a faux Eiffel Tower in China, as well as an entire copy of the city of Venice, complete with gondola-lined canals? In the past few years, builders in China have replicated world-famous buildings and landmarks at a remarkable pace - from the world's first cloned Austrian mountain village to a reproductions of the White House, entire English villages, and even new starchitect designs that haven't been built yet, like Zaha Hadid's Wangjing Soho complex. Bianca Bosker’s exciting new book Original Copies: Architectural Mimicry in Contemporary China addresses this emerging Chinese 'duplitecture' trend and explores the ways that these replicated landmarks are shaping China's culture. It's a fascinating account that draws upon Chinese philosophical perspectives, builders, city planners, and even the residents who now live in these duplicated landmarks.